What is a just transition to a clean energy economy?

We are in the midst of a low-carbon energy transition but don’t really understand all the implications.  Franziska Mey and Chris Briggs from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney try to answer what a fair and just energy transition would look like in Australia.  Their article was posted on The … Continue reading What is a just transition to a clean energy economy?

EEA report shows progress on increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency is slowing across the European Union

Progress on increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency is slowing across the European Union, putting at risk the EU’s ability to achieve its energy and emissions reduction targets. Rising energy consumption, particularly in the transport sector, is to blame for the slowdown, according to preliminary data released today in the European … Continue reading EEA report shows progress on increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency is slowing across the European Union

Looking at Poland’s energy transition

Poland, host of the upcoming COP24 climate conference, has long had a love affair with coal. Can it say goodbye and commit to renewables? Irene Banos Ruiz discusses these transition issues in an article from Deutsche Welle.   Can Poland end its toxic relationship with coal? Poland's love affair with coal goes way back. For … Continue reading Looking at Poland’s energy transition

Cultural organisations in unique position to engage audiences in climate change

Everyone is responsible for creating a more environmentally sustainable world and the arts and cultural sector is no exception. Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England provides a convincing argument in an article in The Guardian. The arts have a leading role to play in tackling climate change If we are to avoid irreversible global … Continue reading Cultural organisations in unique position to engage audiences in climate change

Understanding Germany’s Green Party

The Greens have made huge gains in two recent state elections in Germany. But to what extent is the success of this political party connected to the environment?  Irene Banos Ruiz reviews the policies of the Green Party in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.  Given how important the Greens are for the entire … Continue reading Understanding Germany’s Green Party

Taking the necessary action to avoid a crisis

People only accept change when they are faced with necessity, and only recognise necessity when a crisis is upon them. Jean Monnet French political economist and diplomat who was one of the founding fathers of the European Union   The recent special report from the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the impact … Continue reading Taking the necessary action to avoid a crisis

How First Nations in Canada are addressing climate change – “This is power to the people — literally and metaphorically”

Sandeep Pai, an award-winning investigative journalist and researcher and Savannah Carr-Wilson who works in the field of environmental and Aboriginal law in British Columbia, have written an article on TheTyee.ca about the low-carbon actions of T’Sou-ke First Nation. Hopefully this is an inspiration to many others.   Towards ‘Total Transition’: How One First Nation ‘Took … Continue reading How First Nations in Canada are addressing climate change – “This is power to the people — literally and metaphorically”

As pollution from coal continues to warm the climate and kill tens of thousands of Americans per year, delaying the inevitable comes at a heavy cost for us all

The Trump administration wants the US to embrace coal again.  You see other countries – some in Europe – quite positive about coal.  Daniel Cohan, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Rice University explains in an article on The Conversation website that coal simply is not competitive when the true costs are factored in. Do … Continue reading As pollution from coal continues to warm the climate and kill tens of thousands of Americans per year, delaying the inevitable comes at a heavy cost for us all

Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends

How do we find a balance between tradition and modern attempts to digitalise our world. Santa Maria Tonantzintla was set to be one of Mexico’s first smart cities – but residents saw it as an attempt to westernise their town and leave tradition behind.  All of you know there is this on-going tug.  Madeleine Wattenbarger … Continue reading Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends